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Guest Article: Interbike 2011

Imagine my surprise when, while enthusiastically discussing the “porn show” down in Vegas, some of my coworkers expressed concern and declared the discussion of this subject during a conference call to be “inappropriate”. Apparently, there is some other kind of porn that doesn’t involve bicycles that also has a show there as well. Very confusing, and, quite honestly, I’m not sure what the appeal would be if it doesn’t involve chains and lube.

Our community member @sgt has managed to lie and cheat his way into the vendor-only Interbike Show in Las Vegas, which is one of the most significant bike shows in the world. He was kind enough to share his thoughts and photos, and even provided a V and Anti-V summary at the end. Cheers to that.

Yours in Cycling,

Frank

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I had the distinct privilege to attend Interbike 2011 in Las Vegas with some clubmates. What follows is my first hand account of what I saw, what I liked, what I didn’t like, and what impressed me most and least, with special attention paid to those items of particular interest to you, my fellow Velominati.

For those of you who don’t know, Interbike is the US equivalent of Eurobike, an industry-only trade show for all things related to the bicycle industry. All the major component manufacturers attend, and most of the frame, wheel and component companies. I was there under the nominal auspices of my local shop and club sponsor, but I had an ulterior motive: to represent the Keepers, to seek out new devices for channeling The V; to boldly go where no Velominatus had gone before.

Let me start by saying that Interbike is an amazing compendium of bike-related ephemera… you can find anything related to travel using wheels and pedals, plus a bunch of stuff that seems to pertain to nothing at all. I found it interesting that although most of the second tier bike/frame manufacturers were there, only Specialized represented the big boys: no Trek, no Cannondale, no Giant (although they did have some stuff at the outdoor demo earlier in the week, which I missed). And no Cervelo either (sorry, Frank).

Just as well, as I am way more interested in what the mid-to-small size builders are doing. I visited Bianchi, Wilier, Look, Time, Lapierre, Argon, etc. But the bike-maker that most impressed me was BMC.

I also saw some downright silly stuff, like this aero headtube on a Look mountain bike (really?):

And this unique saddle from Merckx-knows-who:

I visited the booths of many companies beloved of the Velominati.

Dumonde Tech was showcasing this:

Yes, that’s coffee-scented organic chain lube, folks. Sorry Frank, I couldn’t coerce a sample out of them, but I did get a little Dumonde Tech Lite for personal consumption.

Lezyne was showcasing a very sharp looking new line of tools. When I remarked that the beer opener was a nice afterthought for the pedal wrench, the designers quickly corrected me; the pedal sockets were added to the beer opener so the boss wouldn’t yell at them….My bad.

And even Columbus Tubing had a booth in the Italia pavilion, along with Wilier, Vittoria, Limar, and a bunch more:

My next pair of shoes:

Nirvana:

I even got some classic bend bar porn for Frank:

Oval Concepts (the only carbon classic bars I found, and my bars of choice, btw):

Deda:

3T Rotundos:

Interbike was truly an embarrassment of riches. There were many companies paying homage to La Vie Velominatus with clothing and equipment designed in accordance with The Rules. Unfortunately there were many, many more heretics. I could go on and on and on describing the various horrors being foisted on the cycling public, while applauding the good that was displayed cheek by jowl, sometimes in adjoining booths. With that said, and after careful consideration, I have conferred the following honors and demerits for the best and the worst of Interbike.

Interbike V-Awards:

The companies below are representative of the highest quality, initiative and entrepreneurship I saw at Interbike. While they were by no means the only companies displaying these traits, they set themselves apart with innovation, guts and audacity. Business V, as it were.

This startup is composed of a bunch of guys that got their pink slips after their old bike company failed. (I’ll spare you the sordid details, especially since I really don’t remember what they told me.) But, rather than pack it up and call it a day, they rallied, started a new company and set about using their industry knowledge to source some very cool frames and start a new brand (Bootleg). I ran across them down in the bowels of the second floor, behind some elliptical trainers. They are good eggs, have passion for what they do, and aren’t afraid to back it up with their own scratch. Good on yer, boys!

Against my better judgment, and despite being fucking poms, Knog deserves a mention. They make some very nifty shit, including little strap on LED lites in case you get caught out late, and they had a very cute young Sheila handing out what was beyond doubt the best booth schwag (that’s a patch kit, ya perverts!). Bonzer!

This company cleverly repurposes existing RFID technology to keep us from ruining our expensive toys while being hauled about car-top. One sensor goes in the garage with a big bright LED warning light, another goes in the car, and individual compact units clip onto bikes, kayaks, carriers, etc. When you put the gear on top, the in-car sensor / alerter detects them, and if your car then gets too close to the garage door, both alerters flash / beep to warn you you’re about to make a costly mistake! The units are economical, simple and use proven technology. Very strong work!

Now that the laurels have been handed out, it’s time for the brick bats…

Anti-V Awards (no further explanation needed, and no links provided):

Ellipti-go:

What. The. Fucking. Fuck. Needlessly complex much? There’s a guy with one of these locally; if he ever even gets onto my wheel I’ll know it’s time to start playing golf again.

E-go Kits:

A bolt-on electric motor that attaches to your frame with a contraption right out of Brazil, attached to a twenty pound battery backpack with the electrical connection on the nose of the saddle, right where it can do the most damage. But hey, it only costs $2,995.99 USD! Here’s some advice for the E-go boys: Go ride your bikes, without the stupid motors, and think up something better.

Specialized:

Just because… Boring!!!!!!

That brings me to the end of my story. I had a really fun day, saw some cool stuff and got to talk bikes with knowledgeable staff, friends and other attendees. Well worth it, but suffice to say that a full day at Interbike left me feeling a little like this:

About sgt

So Cal MAMIL (mamilus californicus), back on the bike for four years. Obsessed. Current Bike count: 4 (two road, one mtb, one trainer). Weapon of choice: ’09 Wilier Izoard, Campy 10sp. Favorite ride: Toscana, baby! Hoping to ride L’Eroica in the next couple of years.

Ha, I like that wee track! A bike accessories company here in Portland (they make lights and crap like Knog) purchased this mini ‘velodrome’ called the “circulus” from a design student back east, and I guess they had it on display somewhere at Interbike. Not sure of sgt ever saw it or not:

@mcsqueak That one looks easier to ride! The few riders I watched had real trouble coming out of the corners onto the straights, in fact one of them lost his front wheel off the edge and came down hard stopping himself with his chest. From watching clips on youtube it looks better to just launch off and then dive over the handlebars as forward motion is reduced dramatically when wheels make contact with the crash mats.

Mountain bikes and road bikes shouldn’t be set up the same… that is so 1990. That’s why mtb’s back then didn’t handle, with long, low stems, narrow bars with no sweep.

Bikes with 140mm forks are designed to run that much travel, so the geometry is corrected. Sure, if you put a 140 on a hardtail designed for an 80-100 fork, you’re gonna fuck it up. Same as putting a SID on mouse’s 575 there… ya just don’t do it.

I’m running my 29er with no spacers under a 70mm stem, 710 wide bars with low rise and 9º sweep, thing isn’t too high and handles on rails.

That Look is the ugliest thing I’ve seen. Mountain bikes and road bikes shouldn’t be set up the same… that is so 1990. That’s why mtb’s back then didn’t handle, with long, low stems, narrow bars with no sweep.Bikes with 140mm forks are designed to run that much travel, so the geometry is corrected. Sure, if you put a 140 on a hardtail designed for an 80-100 fork, you’re gonna fuck it up. Same as putting a SID on mouse’s 575 there… ya just don’t do it. I’m running my 29er with no spacers under a 70mm stem, 710 wide bars with low rise and 9º sweep, thing isn’t too high and handles on rails.

Fun Interbike write up. I was lucky to attend Interbike way back in ’95, when it was still in California. Worth checking out at least once if you can score a pass.

On mountain bike set up: A lot depends on what era and riding style you subscribe to. The more technical terrain and jumping folks go for the “sit up and beg” position. XC and XC race oriented types are gonna go with the more road bike position – low ‘n’ flat. I’ve been riding mountain bikes forever and more of a XC Geek for sure, so lower bars for me. When I test ride or demo the more upright bikes, they feel damn weird. To each is own.

My 29er is running a flipped over stem, mostly due to the slight rise ‘bar I running. It’s also a 120mm stem and in this day and age – a bit of freak town. I still use bar ends as well. Compared to the “sit up and beg” trail bikes, feels like a road bike. But compared to how my mountain bikes were set up in the ’90s – with super long stems, crazy low and narrow ‘bars – the 29er is insanely comfy.

If I had the dough, would add a 6″ travel bike to the mix – something like an Ibis Mojo. Bar position would be in-between trail and race. Until that happens (dream on), I’m super digging the 29er hardtail. It’s like your favorite ’90s hardtail – but more stable and comfortable – along with a world’s better suspension fork and disk brakes. If you’re basically a XC rider/racer, the way to go.

oh god damn forgot about this horror, Taylor farrar in his advert for transition lenses. you cant see what he is on but it has no right to be called a bike, I am surprised it didnt have the little wing mirrors attached to the handle bars.

Agreed all. I’m about as happy as I can be with the relative height as I can do more technical stuff as well as ride fast XC. Certainly I found that dropping the stem made high speed cornering much more secure. It’s a prety good do everything bike. My quibble about the posi is really down to the last 5mm or so.

I kind of agree with @brett about the Look. I can’t decide if I like it or not. Seems a little bit wrong and a little bit right at the same time.

@scaler911 Of course, the monkeys would not be tied on (they could voluntarily clip in) so it wouldn’t be cruel, they could race or not race depending on whether or not they enjoyed it. Just before anyone says it’s cruel, or torture, but the more I think about it, some mountain stages in the Grand Tours …

@scaler911 Of course, the monkeys would not be tied on (they could voluntarily clip in) so it wouldn’t be cruel, they could race or not race depending on whether or not they enjoyed it. Just before anyone says it’s cruel, or torture, but the more I think about it, some mountain stages in the Grand Tours …

Monkeys are nasty little fuckers. The TJ reference was a different beast (the things you do while drinking fermented cactus in college).

@scaler911 I just found out where you live. Vancouver is a wonderful place, one of my best friends emigrated there. I’ve got to ask you, have you ever cycled up Mount Seymore?

Vancouver WA. Not Canada. We’re kinda a right wing suburb of Portland OR. But to answer your question, no. I do love going to Van. BC though. Skiing, climbing. I should take the steed one of these times and bike around.

@scaler911 Love Cuddles BMC. I don’t believe there’s one Rules violation on the whole thing.. If I only had a fatter bank account……

Fat bank account was not needed, his very WC winning BMC was up for raffle recently after the guy who bought it at a charity auction for something like $16k then raffled it away for charity again at AU$50 a ticket.

Now, while I understand that at the time that AU$50 would still have been a hit due to the unique state the US$ was in, I think you’ll agree that would have been cheaper than the full cost!

Good Stuff Sgt. Had the chance to go to the show in ’09 and the cliche’ “kid in a candy store” couldn’t have been more appropriate. So much amazing stuff to look at. I’m always making fun of adults who stand in line to get autographs, yet there I was waiting to have the Phils sign my copy of Cycle Sport America, and to have Eddy himself and Felice Gimondi sign my copy of Cycling’s Golden Age (almost missed my flight home for that one). One of the only trips to Vegas I’ve had where I wasn’t upset to come home a few hundred bucks in the red.

Sadly, I had a pass for this years show but was unable to go, just couldn’t get away from work. What a horrible thing to admit….

Fucking right too! (sorry @The Baron!) Each to there own and all that but when some skinny jeaned scrote can’t stop his bike by sticking his foot in the front wheel and flattens your daughter yards from a no cycling sign, you tend to develop bias against anyone running without brakes.

@Frank. You’re right – mountain biking did rule in the ’90s. A freakin’ cool era for sure. I’m glad I experienced it. Being old dude, riding mountain bikes since ’84, have seen it all progress. Cool stuff.

@All. Man cannot live on road alone. If you’re not mountain biking, you’re missing a ton of good times and a chance to seriously improve your technical handling skills. Then toss in cyclocross, mega fun on two wheels. ‘Cross is coolest damn thing ever. Do it.

@All. Man cannot live on road alone. If you’re not mountain biking, you’re missing a ton of good times and a chance to seriously improve your technical handling skills. Then toss in cyclocross, mega fun on two wheels. ‘Cross is coolest damn thing ever. Do it.

Very, very well said.

For everyone complaining about the discussion getting “off topic” because the discussion is about mountain biking; I would have thought the discussion of FUCKING MONKEYS RIDING MINATURE BIKES ON MINATURE VELODROMES to be the more offensive topic.

It would appear the Japanese police have an aversion to hipsters as well! Fixie crims

Ha, that’s funny. I saw some hipster-ass bikes while in Japan:

Though is it hypocritical of me to think that American hipsters are annoying while Japanese hipsters are somehow more cool? Back when I was in college I always thought that the Asian foreign-exchange students could somehow pull off fashion that would look just plain silly on Europeans, dunno why – they just seemed to have an eye for wild looks that somehow press the boundary of good taste without going over the line into absurd. I dunno, maybe I’d find it more annoying if I lived over there.

Very, very well said. For everyone complaining about the discussion getting “off topic” because the discussion is about mountain biking; I would have thought the discussion of FUCKING MONKEYS RIDING MINATURE BIKES ON MINATURE VELODROMES to be the more offensive topic.

Kinky. I didn’t think this was that kind of site. Oh well, I guess it’s the Euro thing to do these days…

@mcsqueak: hipsters snipsters. They put this junk together and it looks like…well…something, but they really don’t ride it. Right? who cares if you can ride it a block, but after 100k or more, then you have ridden. And…they…hipsters don’t. If they do fide more, they ain’t hipsters. Right. I’m not knocking them, its just that you cannot put some of this stuff together and ride it like Eddy would. Ride it in the metro, fine, but not for the Rouleur. Its simply 2 different things.

Buddy was suffering through 160k, and a dude in a double-decker singlespeed, dressed in jeans, a twill/herringbone top (all in the rain btw) passed by and my buddy just said he felt a ton better knowing someone like this was riding, made his ride a little easier…it was like a burden seemed to be lifted off his back.

I can’t really comment or speculate on the actual riding habits of the “urbanius hipsterus fixierideus”, as I don’t know any personally. I see people riding all sorts of shit around here, and I can’t imagine it’s very comfortable. I did a few short errand rides in street clothes this summer, and I found it to be less than comfortable – sweating like a pig in cotton street clothes is miserable experience. I can’t imagine riding any sort of distance in “fashion clothes” on a “fashion bike”, but I guess that’s not what those people are going for.